December 06, 2010

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A major tea party group is backing Rep. Jerry Lewis for Appropriations Committee chairman.

The cofounder of the Sacramento, California-based Tea Party Express wrote in a letter to House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) Friday that the California Republican is an effective and experienced lawmaker.

“Not only is congressman Jerry Lewis of California a proven conservative, but he is tremendously skilled as a legislator in getting things done. I have watched him win the fight to cut spending in 1994 and carry on that battle in the years since,” wrote Sal Russo. “He cut billions from wasteful housing programs, he eliminated bloated weapon programs and he led the Appropriations Committee in eliminating funding for nearly 150 wasteful programs during the two years he was chairman.”

Russo, who served as a staffer for former president Ronald Reagan, credited Lewis for promising not to let any taxpayer funds go toward abortions.

The support for Lewis adds another twist to the race for Appropriations Committee chairman one day before the GOP Steering Committee is expected to decide on chairmanships. It’s the first time Lewis, a longtime appropriator and the committee’s highest-ranking Republican, has touted support from an outside group in his bid. Lewis must get a special waiver from Republian term limits to get the top spot.

Another sizable tea party group, the Tea Party Patriots, is supporting Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.).

Reader Comments (5)

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Please do us all a favor when you write articles and distinguish between the Tea Party EXPRESS and the Tea Party PATRIOTS. It would help your readers understand there is a huge difference between the two. Thanks!

I am sick of people who know nothing about Tea Party Patriots attempting to blackball anyone with the idea that they may be endorsed by someone who believes in less government control and not being taxed to high heaven. I have attended some Tea Party Rallies in Sacramento and have never heard of Sal Russo. To my knowledge the Tea Party has no founder per se, it is simply an organization of people who are fed up with the government taking over Health Care, The bailouts of wallstreet and the bailout and takeover of the Auto Industry. If you people as Democrats are for these things then fine, but don't use foul dirty names to refer to people who do not share your Socialist beliefs.
It is Tea Party not Tea B........!

what???? clearly you know nothing, first hand, about the Tea Party. You ignorance quickly shows to anyone who knows anything about the movement. Like the other person said, sick of people who know nothing making judgements! You are wrong on every point. Do your homework before you yack about that which you do not know...

Is this the same Sal Russo who justified the exorbitant cruise line use as the most efficient and effective way for the Tea Party Express to support Joe Miller in Alaska? Please. I'm a conservative who lives in Jerry Lewis' district who can tell you that Lewis should have gone into hog farming instead of politics- for all the earmarking. I'm tired of the political B.S. on both sides. Stop spending.